09/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, German Christian Democrat and chairman of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, Karl-Heinz Florenz, asks, in support of a request from the German Economy Minister, Michael Glos (CSU), and from the leader of the CSU, Edmund Stoiber, for the working life of German nuclear power stations to be extended, even though the CDU/CSU had agreed to the gradual abandonment of nuclear power, agreed by the SPD/Greens coalition, in the manifesto of the great coalition with the SPD. Mr Florenz said that it was indefensible that modern, safe German nuclear power stations be shut down and then energy imported from eastern European power stations that were in poor condition. Currently 60% of Germany's energy is imported, against the EU average of 50%, warned the MEP. On Thursday, the German Environment Minister, Siegmar Gabriel, affirmed that friendly talks can be held over the extension of the working lives of nuclear power stations, but he added that Germany will not give up its abandonment of nuclear power. (see EUROPE 9103 for what Commissioner Piebalgs had to say on the future of nuclear power in the EU)